After finishing Mindanao medical service in Philippines, I came back to Taiwan earlier alone. On the 2nd day after coming back, I flew to
Kenya without wasting any time. The packed schedule to me is very common in my daily life. Often, I gain a lot unexpectedly from it.
While I was in Dadaab in Kenya, I stayed at the hotel of Nairobi. The hotel used to be a house built by the British colonial period, covering about 10 acres. Which garden has about a hundred years of history. I felt like I was in the time tunnel. The tree next to the elegant hotel covered with purple flowers under the morning light. How stunning! Isn’t this beauty like the surprise in the busy schedule?
Kenya Briefing
September 15, 2011
At a little passed 5 in the morning, we stepped onto the Africa soil an hour earlier than scheduled. Nicely greeted by the ladies at the immigration
desk, we soon met up with Stellah, Taiwan Root’s Kenyan volunteer, and our driver, Dickson from rental car company. We wasted no time to
get on the road to reach Garissa, 5 hours driving east from Nairobi. Garissa is the closest city from Dadaab with population of around 70,000.
September 16, 2011- Visiting Dadaab Refugee Camp
We took off in the early morning heading to the refugee camp. From Garissa to Dadaab, there were about more than 100 km muddy road.
Despite the rough and bumpy road condition, there are many wild animals in the bushes along the way, such as Marabou Stocks, Zebras, Giraffes,
Ostriches, Gazelles, Dik-Diks, Antelopes, Squirrels, which has enriched our trip. What impressed me the most was that I glanced a pair of Cheetah
passing the road under shining of the sunset. The beautiful scene made me forget to pick up my camera to record the moment and could only
record in my mind instead. When you spot a Cheetah in the middle of the road, you are for sure in Afica.
Huge flocks of bald stork habitat in the trees.
The wild animals shuttled in the bushes along the road, which was a lot of fun.
I occasionally stopped along the way recording the local people and culture.
Arriving Dadaab Refugee Camp
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Right after arriving Dadaab Refugee Camp, we quickly contacted Dr. Ann Burton from the Health Unit at UNHCR to find out what is in need, and what sort of assistance we may provide.
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One thing worth mentioning is we are the first group from Taiwan getting the pass to visit three camps in Dadaab area: Ifo, Dagahaley and Hagadera. (The above photo: I was wearing the pass)
The entrance of Dadaab Refugee Camp Management Center has the sign marked the country names and national flags for those who engaged with assistance.
The street view from the entrance of Dadaab Refugee Camp Management Center.
When one hears the words “refugee camp”, an image that we probably learn from all those war movies: wired fences, over-packed sleeping quarters, and terrible living environment just comes to mind. Dadaab is nothing like that.
We visit the 3 main camps that formed the Dadaab Refugee Camp: Ifo, Dagahaley, and Hagadera, which Ifo is said to be the largest, and Dagahaley the richest.
In fact, the camps started 21 years ago, and now they are managed by many INGOs aside from UNHCR. Because of recent problems of Africa governments, drought and large numbers of refugees, the refugee camp in Kenya drew a lot attention worldwide again.
The tent in the refugee camp, which was co-managed by UNHCR and other INGOs.
Ifo, said to be the largest, consists most, if not all, the recent new comers from Somalia due to the bad drought. Since the number of refugees has
been growing so fast, and way over the capacity original designed, it’s impossible for the INGOs to match up the growing speed and provide all the
living necessities in time. However, UNHCR is working to build up 2 more camps, hoping to cope with the growing number of refugees that has
been keep coming.
I encountered three women carrying firewood in the way and record their shy but beautiful moment with camera.
I talked to the so-called “refugees” in the camp and tried to understand the exact condition of life. But, they dressed very colorful which made me hard to imagine that they were refugees if not personally seeing them there.
Dagahaley and Hagadera consist refugees who have been there long, and many came with money. Under the management of UNHCR and INGOs
the camps have formed into villages with facilities such as bus stations, hospitals, schools, shops, markets and trade centers. Somalia refugees came
to stay for good, though less than 100km away from the border; the camps provide peacefulness and steady water and food, which can hardly be
found in Somalia. Some have built their own individual houses with fenced gate. Children managed to attend schools and learn to speak English.
Male adults succeeded at jobs as security guards.
The market in the camp.
Local vendors were selling colorful ornaments, which attracted me to look for special gift and souvenir to buy.
Bus stop in the camp
Although with the sudden growth of refugees, the living condition has turned harsh, especially for the new comers, the situation may be solved in
time consider how Dagahaley and Hagadera had turned out. Refugees are no longer just refugees, but residents, residents with better new lives.
Life in Africa is harsh, and we cannot judge theirs with our standards of living style.
he refugees who have been there long, and many came with money. Under the management and help from UNHCR and INGOs, their life
has reached some certain level, and some even built their own houses.
Children are waiting in line to get their water. There are several water stations in the camp, refugees could get water for daily usage with no
problem even it’s drought season.
During the process of my visiting the camp, the representative from UNHCR told me that many medical professionals are willing to provide medical
services after knowing from the international medias. In fact, the main problem they are facing right now is the shortage of equipments, especially
dental parts. The short-term medical service could not really help them to solve the problems. From my past medical service experiences to 40
countries, I found out many donated modern medical equipments to poor areas from many countries are facing three main problems:
1. Consumables items could not be replenished. (Couldn’t be found locally)
2. Once the equipment is broken, there’s no technician to repair locally.
3. Important parts missing with no reason, which could be sold for money possibly.
I am discussing the 3 problems with Dr.Ann Burton and INGOs currently and waiting for their confirmation for solutions. Taiwan Root plans to
donate medical equipments for what is needed for a dental clinic and provide three years budgets of consumable supplies and maintenance. We are
in the process of contacting local INGOs for follow-up.